Michelle reached over and gently tipped Maddie’s head so they were looking eye-to-eye. “Luke won’t be gone forever. And believe me, he thinks you are beautiful, too.”
Tears threatened again as Madison felt her chest tighten at the mention of Luke’s name. Afraid her emotions would come tumbling out if she said anything, she simply nodded, forced a smile, and gave her mom a hug. Then they both stood and headed downstairs.
As Michelle followed Madison down to the dining room, her heart felt heavy. Why did teenage girls have to be under such pressure to live up to the world’s perception of beauty? And where on earth did Maddie get the idea that Michelle was so much more attractive than her?
Later that night, as Michelle was washing her face before bed, she noticed more clearly than ever the toll of aging. She plucked a gray hair, and studied the weathered skin on her neck and smile lines radiating from her eyes. The beauty she’d once been told she possessed was clearly fading. So fleeting was youth, and yet at the peak of its radiance, insecurity often robbed young girls of the perception and confidence one would expect it to inspire.
“What are you thinking about, my brooding bride?” Steve asked, coming up behind her and nuzzling into her neck.
Michelle sighed. “Our daughter.”
“Something wrong?”
“She thinks she’s not attractive. I caught her perusing models on her laptop. You know, those hyper skinny girls with the gaunt faces that give them the big-eyed look.” Michelle paused and shook her head as if to shake off the images. “It concerns me, Steve. I’ve seen a few girls at school fall into eating disorders because of their determination to obtain that look.”
Steve sank down on the bed, clasping his hands between his knees. As he leaned forward and rested his forearms on his legs, he stared down at the floor and shook his head. Then, glancing up at her, he asked, “Want me to talk to her?”
“Maybe. She needs to hear from you just how attractive she really is. You’ve been her prince charming growing up. Now she needs that more than ever.” Michelle sat down beside him, and pulled one of his hands into hers. “It boggles my mind that she can’t see how beautiful she is. She actually told me that if there’s any beauty in the house it’s me. Can you imagine that, honey? To think your mother is more attractive than you are?” Michelle gazed into space and rolled her eyes.
“Don’t undersell yourself, gorgeous,” Steve replied with a grin.
“I’m serious, Steve. Lately I’ve noticed that when she and I are at the Coffee Stop or the Igloo together, the guys working the counter have their eyes on her. When she was young, like around six or seven, I remember waiters sometimes acting flirtatious with me. It was flattering, even though they were obviously too young for someone my age. But that’s definitely flipped. Now they all have eyes for Maddie. And she doesn’t even realize it.”
“Well, maybe that’s a good thing. I like her sweet innocence about it, and hopefully it will keep some of those boys at bay.” Steve stood and began unbuttoning his shirt. “I’m sure this whole insecurity about her appearance is normal for a teenage girl. She’ll get over it.”
“I hope so. But I do think it’s a good idea for you to beef up your compliments and attention. Maybe you could take her out on a couple of father-daughter dates or something,” she suggested.
“Sure. As soon as this merger case is over, I’ll have some time,” he replied. Turning and looking at her still sitting on the bed, he added, “Anything else?”
She shook her head. “No, I guess not.” Then she followed him into their walk-in closet and began getting ready for bed.
Madison leaned up against her pillow and flipped open the novel she was reading. It was a love story of two teens, who met at a summer camp. As she dove into the tale of their secret rendezvous under the stars, she imagined what it would be like to have someone really love her like that. She pictured the heroine with the same slender body as the models in her magazines. Oh, to look like that! And to find a handsome guy who pursued her with the same tenacity and passion of the hero.
Sinking further into her bed, she closed her eyes and let her imagination go. She was walking on the beach, hand-in-hand with a tall, gorgeous guy. The waves were crashing, the sun was warm, and her heart soared. Her partner squeezed her hand gently, and looking up she found herself gazing into Luke’s eyes.
Then her heart returned to earth. Luke was gone. He didn’t love her. He probably never did and never would.
She stood and walked over to close the closet door, a habit from when she was little and feared a monster would come out during the night. As the mirrored door slid shut, she stared at her body in its pajama shorts and tank top. Her hips looked big and her legs stubby. Turning to the side, she pushed her hand against the soft pooch of her stomach.
Walking over to her desk, she picked up the magazine on top of the stack. Flipping to the article in the back about modeling classes, she sat down and reread it, soaking in its promises of beauty and glamour. She flipped open her laptop and did an Internet search for classes in their area, spotting one near her father’s law firm. Perfect, she thought. I’ll talk to Mom about this tomorrow.
Then, before climbing back into bed, she looked at the mirror again. “You are going to start dieting, exercising, and learning how to do your makeup, hair, and clothing,” she instructed herself. “It’s time for a new and improved Madison.” She set her alarm clock to get up early and go jogging, then made a list of everything she would eat the next day.
When morning came, she hopped out of bed, threw on some shorts and a tee shirt, pulled her tennis shoes out from under the bed, and bolted down the stairs.
“You’re up early,” her father said, as she passed him in the kitchen.
“Yep. I’m going for a run.”
“Really?” He looked surprised.
I’m going to show all of them how beautiful I can be if I try, she thought happily before answering. “Yeah, really. It’s time to get rid of this,” she said as she patted her stomach.
He laughed. “I don’t see anything to get rid of, princess.”
Princess? He still saw her as a little girl. “Well, I do,” she replied, adding, “I just want to get in shape.”
“Okay. Nothing wrong with that,” he replied as he filled his coffee cup. “Maybe we could run together sometime.”
“Sure. That would be great, Dad. See you later. Gotta go.” She grabbed a water bottle and headed out the door.
With her iPod earphones in place and her favorite music filling her head, she began jogging down the street. I’ll try to do at least a mile today, she thought. Then maybe tomorrow she’d do a mile and a half. When I get home, I’m going on the website for that modeling course.
Within a few blocks, she was winded. A side cramp slowed her to a walk. She took a swig of water, bent at the waist, and rested her hands on her knees for a moment. Then she walked a short distance and started jogging again, this time at a slower pace. The toot of a horn caught her attention, and she glanced over to see her father driving by. He smiled and waved, and she nodded, returning his smile.
This was going to work. It had to.
By the time she got home, she was hot and tired. Her mother was in the kitchen sitting at the table with her breakfast. “Your dad said you went running.”
“Yeah. I’ve decided to get in shape.”
Her mom looked a little concerned.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Is this about what you said the other day, honey? About not feeling attractive? Because I’m all for being in shape, but I don’t want you obsessing about being thin. You’ve got a cute figure.”
She doesn’t get it, Madison thought. No one thinks my figure is cute except her. Not wanting to get into a big discussion, she just said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not obsessing.” Should I mention the modeling class? She wondered to herself. No. Better wait until I have more details. Maybe I can even get Lucy to go with me. Then
she’ll say yes for sure.
“Want some pancakes?” Michelle asked, gesturing to a stack by the stove.
“No thanks. I’m not that hungry. I’ll probably just have an apple for breakfast,” Maddie replied as she headed out of the kitchen. Good girl, she thought to herself. Pancakes were her favorite breakfast. But not anymore.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My heartfelt thanks go to my cover team—Benjamin Hines and Natalie Knudsen, for creating a beautiful cover that communicates the bittersweet story of From the Heart. Although the saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” I know this cover will captivate my readers.
Big thanks also go to my dear friend, Joy Frum, whose quaint shed inspired Phil’s workshop in both Around the Bend and From the Heart. It was the perfect setting for this cover, and I’m blessed to be able to share it with my readers.
I’m very grateful for my editor, Nancy Tumbas, and my proofreader, Bonnie Vander Plate. Their tireless attention to detail is essential in the refining and polishing of each of my novels. They encourage, inspire, and assist me as professionals and friends.
The ongoing support of my husband, family, and friends helps me move forward with each story. And my wonderful, gracious readers inspire me with their words of encouragement. When I receive an email from one of them, it makes my day. I have the best readers in the world, and I thank God for each and every one!
BOOKS BY ROSEMARY HINES
Sandy Cove Series Book 1
Out of a Dream
Sandy Cove Series Book 2
Through the Tears
Sandy Cove Series Book 3
Into Magnolia
Sandy Cove Series Book 4
Around The Bend
Sandy Cove Series Book 5
From the Heart
Sandy Cove Series Book 6
Behind Her Smile
From the Heart (Sandy Cove Series Book 5) Page 16
